Tag: Reading Challenges

A Pratchett Proposal

On By cherylmahoneyIn Ruminations17 Comments

In my recent posts about Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series (here and here), I noticed a smattering of comments along the lines of “I’d really like to read more/start reading Discworld.”  Now, I’m always up for reading more Discworld myself, so I thought…what if we made it a group effort?  I’ve also been thinking for a while that there’s going to be a hole in my book-life when the Once Upon a Time challenge ends June 20th, and this could be the perfect solution!

So here’s the proposal: how about spending part of the summer with Terry Pratchett?  I’m thinking this would run June 1st to August 31st (so you could even do a two-for-one in June, with the OUaT challenge).  It would be totally low pressure, low requirement, high fun…all you have to do is read something from Discworld (and if you really want to read a different Pratchett book, that’s cool too) and then tell us about it.  If you have a blog and want to share a review, great–if not, you could just leave a comment (I’ll set up a post for that).

I thought we could do a group-read if there was interest in a particular book.  And of course you’re welcome to dive in absolutely anywhere you want with Discworld (though I don’t recommend starting with any of the first three).

This post is really just to gauge interest, and see if enough people want to jump in for it to make sense to hold a Pratchett Experience (that “challenge” word is far too intimidating for such fun books!)  So…if you’re interested, leave a comment and let me know!  Vote in the poll below if you’d like to get into a group read.  And if it turns out some people are interested in reading Pratchett this summer, I’ll post something official at the beginning of June.

Diving Into Fairy Tales

On By cherylmahoneyIn Ruminations16 Comments

It’s the first day of spring!  And that means that thoughts are lightly turning towards love, pilgrimages (see Chaucer), and fairy tales!  If you were here last year, you may remember the Once Upon a Time challenge, hosted by Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings (home of the Sci Fi Experience too).

The plan: read fairy tales, fairy tale retellings, fantasy…  And since that’s pretty much what I DO, I’m so excited!  I’ve not read many fairy tale retellings lately, so I’ve got them lined up.  In fact, I started (re)reading Robin McKinley’s Rose Daughter this morning.  🙂  Technically the challenge starts tomorrow, but, you know, close enough.  I’ll still be reading it tomorrow.

There’s a whole list of Quests, which I selected and pursued last year.  This year I’m embracing the casual nature of Carl’s “experiences” and deciding to let the chips fall where they will.  I’ll go for those books I have lined up, and see how it sorts out in the end.

So, keep your eye out for more fairy tales–coming soon!

2011 Reading Challenges Wrap-up

On By cherylmahoneyIn Ruminations7 Comments

It’s the end of December, and time to report on Reading Challenges (before I dive into my reading for 2012, of course).  I met all my goals this year, thanks to some careful reading in December to finish out the last few.  🙂  I really enjoyed all the challenges, and the nice feeling of accomplishment it gave to my reading whenever I read something that fit a list.  Not every book I read for the challenge was excellent, of course, but I did find some good ones, and I got to read many books (and types of books) I’ve wanted to, but tended not to get around to.

So I’m calling that a success!  A little more detailed reflection on each challenge below.

Here’s my final list for the year.  Linked titles go to my review of the book.   If you see something you’re curious about that doesn’t have a review, let me know!  If I don’t feel like I have enough to say for a full post, I’ll at least let you know what I thought in a reply-comment.  Rereads are designated with an R for all but the Library challenge, and aren’t counted.

Here’s what I’ve read in 2011 Continue reading “2011 Reading Challenges Wrap-up” →

2011 Reading Challenges – Three-Quarters There!

On By cherylmahoneyIn Ruminations6 Comments

It’s the end of another quarter, which probably means lots of things in the business world, but around here means it’s time for an update on reading challenges!

It’s been a solid quarter on just about every challenge (and I went a little crazy on the retold fairy tales!) Things may slow down in November and December, so I’m glad I got more read now.  I still need to work on First in a Series; it’s the hardest one to go look for somehow, so any suggestions of favorite series are welcome!

Linked titles go to my review of the book.   Asterisks indicate I have a review coming soon.  If you see something you’re curious about that doesn’t have a review or one promised, let me know!  If I don’t feel like I have enough to say for a full post, I’ll at least let you know what I thought in a reply-comment.  Rereads are designated with an R for all but the Library challenge, and aren’t counted.

Here’s what I’ve read so far Continue reading “2011 Reading Challenges – Three-Quarters There!” →

2011 Reading Challenges – Halfway Point

On By cherylmahoneyIn Ruminations8 Comments

I’m suspending Fiction Friday today because it’s July 1st, halfway through the year, and I want to update on my reading challenges.  So far, I’m having success–I’ve found some fun new series, enjoyed a variety of fairy tale retellings, and have knocked off some classics that I’ve been meaning to read for years.  Things slowed down for almost every challenge this quarter, but I’m still on track for halfway through the year.

The one I’m just barely keeping up with is the library challenge.  I’m still at the library weekly, but I’ve also been borrowing stacks of books from friends…which is great fun, but not helpful for the challenge!

Linked titles go to my review of the book.  If you see something you’re curious about that doesn’t have a review, let me know!  If I don’t feel like I have enough to say for a full post, I’ll at least let you know what I thought in a reply-comment.

Here’s what I’ve read so far Continue reading “2011 Reading Challenges – Halfway Point” →